This is the UK's second biggest regional newspaper publisher, which employs more than 5,000 people. It would not expect its own journalists to accept such a response if they were investigating one of the companies they report on.

In both cases, no-one at Newsquest was available for comment. They never are. A person answers the phone and says a message will be passed on. Then nothing happens. They do not even get back to say: "No comment."

It has been the case for years, so it must be company policy (though Newsquest's US parent, Gannett, is slightly more forthcoming).

In fairness, Newsquest doesn't seem to care what is reported, clearly adopting the line: "never explain, never complain."

For a newspaper publisher, though, it is a poor way of going about its business and it's part of the reason that its own journalistic employees are so unhappy. They hear nothing but criticism.

On the pensions story, for example, they are not able to read a public explanation that - in my opinion - would surely justify the company's rational commercial decision. (Final salary pension schemes have been vanishing across the newspaper industry and elsewhere for perfectly understandable reasons).

Not that this will change Newsquest's mind. I could, of course, have contacted the publisher for a comment on this matter, but what would be the point?

PS: A reader - a business journalist - emails to agree that Newsquest are "a pain" to deal with, but points out that the Express group is also devoid of pubic relations skills.

He writes: "You get passed around hundreds of people who seem to have no idea what press office, communications team or PR mean."

What? Richard Desmond unhelpful? Well, as my old Blackburn landlady was fond of saying in mock surprise, I'll go to the foot of our stairs.